V-beam Laser

The V-beam (pulsed-dye) laser is the gold standard for treating vascular skin conditions. This includes the treatment of rosacea, port wine stains, and broken blood vessels. One of the first in our area to offer this treatment, Dr. Maltz and Dr. Chui have been using this laser for over 15 years.

Our dedication to excellent skin care and rejuvenation is the foundation of our practice. If you're considering laser skin treatments and want to learn more, request an appointment online or call our office at (650) 344-1121 and a member of our team will help schedule an appointment.

Effective for Treating

We use the V-beam in our San Mateo practice to treat a variety of conditions including:

Rosacea

Dilated blood vessels on face

Spider and cherry angiomas

Port wine stains

Stretch marks

Keloid scars

Superficial leg veins

Other advanced skin rejuvenation treatment options include, Fraxel® and IPL Photofacial treatments. Our experienced skin care specialists will help you choose the one that fits best with your goals and available downtime.

How It Works

The V-beam laser utilizes a wavelength that selectively targets your blood vessels, heating them and causing them to close. An Integrated Dynamic Cooling Device (DCD) emits a short cooling spray just before each laser pulse, making the surface of the skin cooler and more comfortable while protecting the skin from the heat of the laser.

Before the Treatment

Treatment is most effective when the skin is not tan. For this reason, it is best to protect the area you want to treat from the sun with either sunscreen or clothing for at least a month before treatment and to schedule your treatments accordingly. Because there is a risk of bruising associated with certain settings, it is best to avoid aspirin and non-steroidal medications such as ibuprofen and motrin for a week before treatment.

During the Treatment

Multiple laser pulses are used to cover the treatment area. With each laser pulse, you will feel the cooling spray first followed by a rubber band snapping sensation. Your eyes will be covered for protection. Topical numbing cream applied 30 minutes prior to the procedure in our office can be used to minimize the discomfort. Most treatments are quick and well-tolerated.

After the Treatment

Immediately after the treatment, patients experience a warm sunburn-like sensation, and the area will look red and blotchy with some swelling. Depending on the nature of the condition, some bruising is also possible. Ice is applied immediately after treatment and for the first day or two after the procedure to minimize swelling. Swelling typically worsens around the eyes and upper cheeks over the first day or two and subsides in 3 to 4 days. We recommend propping your head upright on a couple of pillows when you sleep to help minimize this swelling. Redness and blotchiness is usually gone within a few hours, and bruising (if present) is usually gone by 1 week. Makeup may be applied immediately after treatment. Gentle skin care and sun protection for the first week after the treatment is recommended.

Results

Results may take 4 weeks after treatment to develop. Some spider veins will blanch immediately after treatment only to reappear 3 to 7 days later; these will gradually then diminish over the next few weeks.

Typically, for rosacea, redness, and telangiectasias, we recommend an initial series of 3 to 5 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to achieve optimal results, but improvement can be seen after 1 to 2 sessions. For larger facial veins, port wine stains, stretch marks, and keloid scars, more treatments may be required. Depending on the severity of the rosacea, some periodic treatment may be needed to maintain results.

If you are interested in learning more about V-beam and to find out if this procedure is right for your, please contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.